Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire at Risk

This Thursday, the Conservative Party is facing a potential double blow in the upcoming by-elections in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire. Despite a final weekend of campaigning, even loyal supporters of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are predicting tough battles and dire outcomes.

Concerns over Turnout

There is growing concern that traditional Tory voters may not turn out to vote in these crucial by-elections. The party strategists are also disappointed that the PM did not experience a post-conference poll bounce.

Mid Beds: A Major Setback

The hopes of holding on to Mid-Bedfordshire have been dashed, as the Liberal Democrats redirected their attack from Labour to target Tory votes. If Labour were to win this seat, it would be the biggest ever majority overturned. Tamworth is also expected to be a heavy loss for the PM.

Optimism and NIMBYism

Despite the bleak outlook, some Tory MPs remain cautiously optimistic, believing that the hostility on the doorstep is not as bad as the polls suggest. They are hopeful that Tory voters' concerns over preserving the green belt and their "Not in My Backyard" (NIMBY) stance will deter them from switching sides.

Labour's Dream

On the other hand, Labour MPs are feeling positive and confident on the campaign trail. They acknowledge that winning in these traditionally safe Tory seats is a tall order, but they are determined to make history and are working hard to secure victory.